William's Story.
Weaverham St. Mary’s “Roll of Honour” records a J. Cox and a W. Cox. The Acton Bridge Baptist Church Enlisted Roll of Honour includes the names Jack Cox, (John Cox) and William Cox, these lads are brothers. The Baptist Church “Roll of Honour” states William was with a Manchester Regiment. This is the only link to a Regiment for William.
The 1911 census for Acton Bridge has the family living in Station Houses. George Ernest Cox, head of the family aged 39, Railway Platelayer, born Tewkesbury; Alice (Nee Royle) wife, aged 39 born Eccleshall; John aged 18, House Painter, born Eccleshall; William aged 11 born Acton Bridge; George, working with the railway had transferred, with his family, to Acton Bridge Station between 1895 and 1896, between the births of Lillian and William. The 1911 census confirms John as being born in Eccleshall and that there was a younger brother, William, who was born in Acton Bridge about 1900. The 1901 census includes George Ernest jnr. it requires a search of Staffordshire and Cheshire BMD to help understand the full extent of the family.
Checking the census returns for Eccleshall we can confirm the family, starting with Mum and Dad, and then the children, Frank Thomas b.1891, John b.1893, George Ernest b.1895, Lillian b.1896, William b.1900. (An Alice Cox was born 1912.) Mother’s maiden name is Royles. There is a George Ernest Cox married to Alice Royles, Aug./Sept. 1891 in Stone. (George E. Cox, son aged 15, born Eccleshall, Lillian Cox, daughter, aged 14 born Eccleshall are not at home in the 1911 census.)
N.A.M.C. have nearly 1000 medal cards for lads named William Cox, keeping with the Baptist Church R.o.H. there are 18 lads named William Cox with a Manchester Regiment. These could be thinned out by use of second names or William is the second name but still unable to confirm who is this William Cox. Unfortunately that is a good as it gets for William. (This will be the case for a good number of lads and lass's you will beaware that they have served but not in what capacity or where. William being 18 in 1918, may not have been to Threatre of War, requireing 12 months training before posting.)
B. M. & Co. R.o.H. booklet records include 3 lads named William Cox but none are with a Manchester Regiment as specified on the Baptist Church R.o.H
The 1921 census has William living with his parents and siblings back in Acton Bridge, George Ernest, father Platelayer for the railways, mother Alice and siblings of George Ernest, Lilian, William his occupation was Boot repairs own account, and Alice May.
John Cox, brother, his story is included on Cheshireroll
Research Bob H.